This discussion on ‘Evaluation under pressure’ raises a fundamental challenge: the need to continue producing relevant, useful and timely data despite declining and uncertain resources. To address directly the question of ‘adaptations and practical solutions’ for coping with these funding constraints, I would like to highlight the strategic role of the digitalisation of evaluation practices.
In a context of budgetary constraints, the shift to digital evaluations makes it possible to drastically reduce logistical costs (travel, paper-based surveys) whilst expanding the geographical coverage of data collection.
A concrete and inspiring example is that of Cameroon’s Ministry of Youth and Civic Education. To overcome the challenges posed by limited resources, we have adopted online monitoring and evaluation practices to capture real-time data from our services, which extend across the country’s 360 districts.
This digital approach has had a twofold impact:
- continuous updating of indicators: The data collected online is used to reliably and rapidly update the performance indicators for the Ministry’s various programmes;
- operational adjustment: Operational services in the field rely on this feedback to adjust their actions and take concrete steps towards achieving the objectives linked to these programmes.
Beyond mere economic efficiency, this digital transition is profoundly transforming the dynamics of learning and accountability inherent in monitoring and evaluation. On the one hand, the traceability and near-instantaneous accessibility of data enhance transparency and accountability towards stakeholders, making it possible to demonstrate quickly how resources (even limited ones) generate impact. On the other hand, it catalyses continuous organisational learning: thanks to much shorter feedback loops, decision-makers and teams on the ground no longer have to wait until the end of a project cycle to draw lessons. They can identify structural challenges and readjust their intervention strategies in real time.
In conclusion, digitalisation does not replace methodological rigour, but it represents a practical innovation for maintaining the value of evaluation and strengthening its integration into strategic decision-making, thereby ensuring that evaluation remains a dynamic management tool rather than a mere a posteriori compliance exercise, even when budgets are under severe pressure.
RE: Evaluation under pressure : Strengthening evidence use, accountability and learning amidst funding constraints (Joint EvalforEarth-ALNAP discussion)
Cameroon
LEANDRE KOUOTOU NGOUCHEME
Président exécutif
Association HI-LIFE
Posted on 21/10/2026
This discussion on ‘Evaluation under pressure’ raises a fundamental challenge: the need to continue producing relevant, useful and timely data despite declining and uncertain resources. To address directly the question of ‘adaptations and practical solutions’ for coping with these funding constraints, I would like to highlight the strategic role of the digitalisation of evaluation practices.
In a context of budgetary constraints, the shift to digital evaluations makes it possible to drastically reduce logistical costs (travel, paper-based surveys) whilst expanding the geographical coverage of data collection.
A concrete and inspiring example is that of Cameroon’s Ministry of Youth and Civic Education. To overcome the challenges posed by limited resources, we have adopted online monitoring and evaluation practices to capture real-time data from our services, which extend across the country’s 360 districts.
This digital approach has had a twofold impact:
- continuous updating of indicators: The data collected online is used to reliably and rapidly update the performance indicators for the Ministry’s various programmes;
- operational adjustment: Operational services in the field rely on this feedback to adjust their actions and take concrete steps towards achieving the objectives linked to these programmes.
Beyond mere economic efficiency, this digital transition is profoundly transforming the dynamics of learning and accountability inherent in monitoring and evaluation. On the one hand, the traceability and near-instantaneous accessibility of data enhance transparency and accountability towards stakeholders, making it possible to demonstrate quickly how resources (even limited ones) generate impact. On the other hand, it catalyses continuous organisational learning: thanks to much shorter feedback loops, decision-makers and teams on the ground no longer have to wait until the end of a project cycle to draw lessons. They can identify structural challenges and readjust their intervention strategies in real time.
In conclusion, digitalisation does not replace methodological rigour, but it represents a practical innovation for maintaining the value of evaluation and strengthening its integration into strategic decision-making, thereby ensuring that evaluation remains a dynamic management tool rather than a mere a posteriori compliance exercise, even when budgets are under severe pressure.